1. Name an example of each of the three phenothiazine sub-families and state how they differ from one another in terms of potency and side effects.

The three phenothiazine sub-families are: Aliphatic derivatives, Piperidine derivatives and Piperazine derivatives. The aliphatic and piperidine derivatives have low potency and cause severe sedation, anti-cholinergic effects, postural hypotension and they are cardiotoxic. The Piperazine derivatives have a high potency, but it causes weaker anticholinergic effects and less sedation, less cardiovascular effects and does not cause postural hypotension.

2. Which receptors in particular are blocked by the typical antipsychotic drugs?

Antipsychotics block D2- receptors as well as H1-receptors, cholinergic receptors and alpha1-receptors (to a lesser extent).

3. How does the mechanism of action of the atypical drugs differ from that of the typical drugs?

Atypical drugs block serotonin 2A-receptors whereas typical drugs block mesolimbic D2-receptors.

4. Which of the receptors blocked by the older drugs reduce the risk of extrapyramidal side effects?

Typical drugs block D3-receptors and this causes the risk of extrapyramidal effects to reduce.

5. Which of the older drugs have a high incidence of extrapyramidal side effects? What is the reason for this?

The phenothiazines, particularly the piperazine derivatives, have a high incidence of causing extrapyramidal side effects.

6. Because of which receptor(s) blockade do the aliphatic group of drugs have a high incidence of autonomic side effects?

The blockage of cholinergic neurons by the aliphatic derivatives cause the autonomic side effects.